Submitted by
subspd
a Weekend Warrior
from Dawsonville, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2011
Strengths: Light weight, strong, fits 29" wheels! Fits 1 1/14 & 2" hitches with INCLUDED adapter.
Weaknesses: none...
Bottom Line:
To me its been the best rack ever it works great on my little civic and on my lifted Tacoma. I can easily swap between and since it only weighs about 24lb it doesn't cause the civic to drag its tail around. Also it fits both 29ers easily never had a problem even when running 2.3 tires.
Submitted by
Zoke2
a Cross Country Rider
from New Orleans
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2011
Strengths: Light weight and easy to load the bikes on or off. Great fit for smaller cars and Excellent customer service from Saris
Weaknesses: The straps may be a little short for larger tires but in 2 years I have only had one problem with this rack. One of the stops cracked after 2 years but it was probably more due to my jamming a 650b wheel into the rack set for a 26" wheel. I have found that over time the the piece the holds the front wheel will bend slightly, it doesnt affect the security of the bike but it just seems a little flimsy
Bottom Line:
I have gotten a lot of use out of this rack over the years and when I needed extra straps for larger tires Saris sent them to me for free and when I cracked one the the lock stops Saris again sent me all the parts to replace it for free. Excellent rack and an Excellent company. If this rack was under $200 I would say its the best deal out there ... at $250 its a little over priced for what it is.
Strengths: Great rack. Light weight bike, does not touch car, nothing to scratch carbon frames.
Weaknesses: Straps short for Zipp 404's on the road bike
Bottom Line:
I have the rack mounted on a hitch on a Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. The Cycle-on was a little heavy but at 26 pounds the Thelma is perfect. Easy to install rack and easy to put bikes on it. The bike does not contact the car and with this rack I can travel to races with the top down. One of a very small group of hitch mount racks that will carry a full suspension mountain bike.
Similar Products Used: Saris Cycle-on pro, numerous roof racks
Bike Setup: Scott Spark Ltd mountain bike
Cervelo Soloist Carbon road bike with Campy Record and Zipp 404's.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
tahoebum
a Cross Country Rider
from Kings Beach, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2011
Strengths: No contact with frame, easy to use. Can load 2 bikes in less than 1 minute. Will easily accommodate 26", 29er, or road bike with no adjustments. Compact and lightweight, folds up easily.
Weaknesses: 70 lb weight limit, so if you have 2 downhill bikes, look elsewhere.
Bottom Line:
Best rack I've owned. Super easy to use just a 2 second adjustment needed for my buddies with 29ers. Super secure with no frame contact.
Bike Setup: Kestrel Talon SL, Fuji Outland Pro, Fuji SLM 2.0 Carbon Hardtail.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
stormpeakco
a Cross Country Rider
from steamboat springs
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2010
Strengths: NO need to remove front wheels and find a place to store 'em on a trip nor worry about repeatedly dinging the disc rotors (no issues about road bike front brake rub), don't need to worry about driving into garages and inadvertently removing the 5+K bike from the roof (like a friend x 2), light weight, durable (driven over 15K miles without issues to endurance rides in CO, CA and OR), hitch mounted-still can use hatch with bikes loaded, can see all with rear view mirror that all is OK on long sojourns, quiet, swings easily out of the way, less expensive, holds both mtbs and road bikes without issue or additional adjustment, no fear incurring damage to frames or cables, lockable to the hitch and bikes with Yakima cable lock keyed with same key by ORS Racks, takes 20-30 secs to load or unload each bike (if not cable locked), incredible customer support/personnel at Saris
Weaknesses: the ratchet wheel straps are too short for friend's deeper dish CF road wheels and wheel holders are too narrow for buddies wide knobby mtb tires over 2.35"s (rarely if ever need such rubber here in SS and my Hutchinsons pythons 2.0" and wife's 2.1" Maxxis are no problem)
Bottom Line:
What a sweet all season long set up for bikes (only wish I had a 3 bike thelma rather than a 2). With a hitch mounted Thelma rack I needn't worry about entering garages, removing the wheels/lifting someones heavy p.o.s. onto the roof, damage to frames/cables, bugs, wind noise (minimal loss of mpg with our hybrid escape). Most def, have recommended to many friends/strangers who have asked about it. Personnel/customer support from the folks in WI couldn't be better (for the folks living on the west coast, equivalent to the guys at Les Schwab Tires).
Similar Products Used: tailgate/bike frame mounted p.o.s'. by Yakima and many friends bike racks/roof rack mounted with skewers.
Bike Setup: ti(that will never end up in the landfill)-Moots YBB, two Merlin road frames
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
buggyman
a Weekend Warrior
from florida
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2009
Strengths: light, easy to use secure
Weaknesses: large frames don't fit perfectly
Bottom Line:
I had a 4 bike yakima hitch mount and hated it. With full suspension bikes it was a pain. took it back and got the Thelma. At first I was upset that my large frame bike would not fit, but just turned around the rear wheel mount and it works fine. Also called Saris and they are sending some extra straps because I said they weren't long enough(that was before turning around the rear wheel mount). They said just click the two together and it will be fine. It has some wobble in it but so far the bikes have been very secure. This is the first hitch mount I have used and feel comfortable with. I also love the light weight. I take it off put in the bed of my truck and lock the hardcover. Could not be happier with it. I am giving 5 chilis for value I have the Thelma 3 bike. 4 chilis because of the fit of a large frame. but it still works.
Similar Products Used: saris bones, saris roof rack and yakima hitch mount
Bike Setup: stumpjumper fsr
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
alanchan
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2009
Strengths: Easy to install and remove, wheel tray folds down for compact storage, pretty stable rack, easy to load and unload bikes, light weight (down side is can't hold up weight)
Weaknesses: No access to tailgate with bikes on (but which one does except Thule Revolver)
Ratchet strap for the wheels are poorly design and cheap
Wheel size specify bike carrier (I manage to fit a 24" kids bike on to a 26" carrier tho) - no 29er
Material will not last long for everyday usage
No security system
Will not work with bikes with front fender
Weight limit means no sub $200 bikes and no DH bikes
Bottom Line:
I use this system on a friends vehicle and recommended it to him due to the price ($240 CAD) and carries three bike. Note this review is for the 'Thelma 3'. Most hitch bike carrier with no contact to frame only holds two or with the add on to four bikes but that cost like 4x the money!
This will be a good rack if you ride a couple times a month (which is what my friend do). I myself ride 4-5 times a week in peak season and this rack will not last. The strap system also sucks which will get quite annoying if you use very often.
The wheel size specify tray can be rig. I rang up Saris USA and a couple of the local dealers and they said it will only fit specify wheel size (26" for mine) but I was able to fit a 24" on with something holding up the front wheel. It will NOT fit a 20". You will need to buy the kids version which Saris do offer (2 adults, 1 child bike).
Overall, a good rack for the price of occasional users only.
Then it comes another issue, weight limit. If you ride occasionally or use it a couple times a year for family picnic, going to camp/park, you probably won't have a superlite racing rig. That means you have to watch the weight of your bike. If you use it for your DH bike, you also have to be careful of the weight limit.
In conclusion, Saris has build a rack for good value and pretty practical but I don't see the target customer.
Similar Products Used: Many Thule roof mount and truck mount racks
Yakima Roof mount racks.
Bike Setup: too many...Ventana, Niner, Santa Cruz .... etc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
cjv
a Weekend Warrior
from wausau wisconsin
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2009
Strengths: looks , simple to use ,light weight
Weaknesses: will not fit large frame bikes with 2.35 tires or greater. Had to return the rack.
Bottom Line:
There needs to be a disclaimer on the box. This rack is not for large frame (26 inch) mountain bikes. We clled the company and they tried to get use to strap the tire on the side of the bracket, this would only leave the strap holding the wheel. Not something I, nor the guy driving behind me , would like to see. Look elsewhere.
Submitted by
jitenshakun
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2009
Strengths: -Zero bike frame contact
-Light weight
-Tight hitch mounting
-No wheel removal required
-Perfect for road bikes, great for XC bikes
Weaknesses: -Folds up mighty tight to the rear bumper
-Trouble with tires greater than 2.3
-often seats have to be lowered to accommodate handlebar of other bike
-35lb single bike weight limit
Bottom Line:
For anything other than a heavier AM, FR or DH bike this rack works extremely well. Its easy to get on and off the car, holds the bike tight and will not damage your bike's frame. It can work with 2.3 and greater tires, so long as you deflate the tyre, load the bike and re inflate the tyre in the rack. I have driven my car in a track situation with a 30lb bike on the rack without issue. Yes, this is not usual for a rack, but it is a heck of a test.
Similar Products Used: -this is was my first hitch rack but I have used multiple roof racks
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Superlight and Trek Madone
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
silvermtb69
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2009
Strengths: looks good. good design.
Weaknesses: straps too short for 29er wheels, Hitch piece too tall for swing open rear hatches
Bottom Line:
Nice looking rack that is very modern and doesn't touch the bikes frame. The front wheel holder in the locked position will not hold a 29er wheel so I leave it unlocked in order to strap the front wheel in (1 strike). Website shows the rack on the back of a Lexus GX470 which is what I have so it should work on that vehicle, right?? I even called before purchasing to make sure.... Wrong.... You can't open the rear door since it swings out instead of up like most SUVs. I had to design & have a receiver adapter made to drop the entire rack down 3" so that I can open the rear door with the rack installed. (strike 2) This bike rack costs more than it should considering the materials used to make it. I like the rack but it definitely could use improvements/options for 29er people. Otherwise, rack works good for roadbikes & 26" mtn bikes.
Bike Setup: Intense Spider 29er, Spot Longboard 29er SS
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
dustoffbob
a Racer
from Augusta, Georgia
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008
Strengths: Easy to load and off-load bicycles, never touches the frame; keepsbikes from rubbing each other or truck; no need to pad between bikes.
Weaknesses: need to make modifications to wheel holders for certain mountain bike wheel types; rachet straps can bea little annoying
Bottom Line:
This is no doubt the best rack I have ever used. I can load or off load three bicycles in under 60 seconds. Once the bikes are on I never worry about them falling off, and trust me, I have had a $4000 mountain bike fall of my truck using a different rack. With this one I never worry about losing a bike. This is probably the last rack I will ever need. If you want an easy to load, lightweight rack that makes life simple, BUY IT
Similar Products Used: SARIS Bones, Swagman, you name it I have probaly tried it
Bike Setup: Too many to list
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
mtg7aa
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2008
Strengths: Light, inexpensive for a hitch rack, looks cool, holds bike by both wheels (no need to put one wheel inside your car)
Weaknesses: The ratchet straps suck, it is harder than it should be to get them engaged, and they are too short (like somebody else said, it's hard to use with 26x2.35 tires), also you have to deflate 29er tires to get it in the rack. It BARELY fits downhill knobbies (straps are too short, and the wheelbase of bikes with downhill knobs are too long for the rack, and the rack is only rated for 35lb bikes anyway)
Bottom Line:
It works well for road bikes up to ~30lb mountain bikes with tires no bigger than 26 x 2.2". If you have an All Mountain bike or FR/DH rig, get a heavier duty rack.
Submitted by
scotte2981
a Cross Country Rider
from long island
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2008
Strengths: very easy to assemble, easy getting bikes on, very light, very cool
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
this rack rocks and with the lefty it is a match made in heaven. had the thule but too much sway and this is real sweet because nothing touches the frame. Very well made and innovative UNIQUE
Bike Setup: cannondale prophet 600 race face cranks, avid juicy brakes, sram gears, candys on the feet LEFTY
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
smmcpherron
a Cross Country Rider
from Sandy, utah, USA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Strengths: Never touches the bike frame. Both bikes stay away from each other. Steady. Simple, easy, strong. Very easy to load bikes, including 2.35 inch tires, if you install it right. Affordable.
Similar Products Used: Swagman which is the absolute worst. And a Thule which is great, but, the bikes hang from it, and that is not good for carbon fiber frames.
Bike Setup: IBIS Mojo with customer build, and Specialized Tarmac S-works. Ventana El Saltamontes.
Weaknesses: it fits two out of five of my bikes does not fit 29ers strap is to short to reach around my 2.35 tire on 26inch great for road bikes and commuters oh and not kids bikes
Bottom Line:
its for road bikes and commuters it looks hot it scares me to think how little is holding my bike it looks cool its lite it makes me sad to need another rack to carry my other bikes
Anyone using a Saris Thelma with their 29er's? Saris says "no go" but I thought I saw the combination a few weeks ago at a race but have not seen it again.
Anyone?
Sorry it w Read More »
I bought the rack and am now finding that i have to let the air out of the tire just to get my commuter bike on. Road bikes fit fine and the 26ers fit fine. Is there a better way? Read More »
How good of a rack is the Saris Thelma 3-Bike?
I have a 1.25" Receiver, Class 1 hitch in my sedan. The Saris Thelma has a 31lb/bike rating (no problem by me... i ride XC/Road bike Read More »
